Tread Perilously - ‘Nightmare Cafe: Aliens Ate My Lunch’

Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: Nightmare Cafe's "Aliens Ate My Lunch"

TreadPerilously begins its annual horror month with a visit to the short-lived Wes Craven television series, Nightmare Cafe.

When Blackie (Robert Englund) moves the cafe out to the sticks, Frank (Jack Coleman) and Fay (Lindsay Frost) meet tabloid reporter Harry Tambor (Bobby Slayton) who must deliver a story about aliens to his editor or get fired. He plans to fake a close encounter utilizing three little people he picks up on the side of the road. While Frank, who loves Tambor's work, is disappointed to meet his hero, Fay ends up part of the events. Will she be able to stop a mob of yokels from taking Tambor's fraud way too far?

Erik and Justin try to determine the best way to explain Nightmare Cafe's premise. They also introduce Cal, the post-ironic genie. Their attempt to figure out the appeal of Slayton's comedy leads to a discussion of gay panic in 1980s stand-up. Erik has a hard time holding onto the character name "Frank" and explains his position on Tim Burton. Justin takes a close look at the episode's Canadian yokels and the problems in appreciating the work of H.P. Lovecraft. The pair also discuss the morality of killing people impregnated with aliens and why Wes Craven chose to write and direct this episode of Nightmare Cafe.